Public PhD Defence Floris Mertens

 

  About the dissertation:
This study examines the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in corporate decision-making at board level from a comparative law perspective, based on the legal systems of Delaware, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Germany. While the AI use of board of directors is still in an experimental phase, the risks that arise from it raise important legal questions. This study makes a distinction between different autonomy levels of AI in the boardroom and shows that their legal permissibility and consequences vary fundamentally. For the lower autonomy levels, the existing open-ended norms of corporate law, such as the duty of care and the proper reliance doctrine, are sufficiently flexible to require AI-related measures of diligence from the board. For the higher autonomy levels, current law imposes a near-total prohibition on AI systems as robo-directors. Still, this study proposes legal solutions for the agency costs that would arise from their future hypothetical establishment.   

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The CDS takes a position on the proposal relating to EU Inc.

On 18 March 2026, the European Commission published its proposal for the 28th regime, together with a new call for contributions.

There is no unanimity within the CDS on this proposal; two position papers were therefore submitted to the Commission.

In RPS-TRV 2026/7 (November 2026), several academics from various Member States will respond to the Commission’s proposal as well as to the positions expressed within the CDS (including: V. Knapp (United Kingdom); J. Lau Hanssen (Denmark); L. Enriques (Italy); C. Nigro (United Kingdom); T. Tröger (Germany) and P. Oudin  (France)).

All comments are welcome and may be addressed directly to the authors.

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Study afternoon – The new European anti-money laundering package: perspectives on a harmonised framework.

On 25 June 2026, Hasselt University is organising a study afternoon on the new European anti-money laundering package: perspectives on a harmonised framework.

A must for legal professionals and other stakeholders involved in the application of anti-money laundering rules who wish to deepen and update their knowledge and look ahead to the impact of these new regulations on their daily practice.

Date & time: Thursday 25 June, 12.00–17.30

Venue: Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt

Participation fee

  • Standard: €295
  • Special rate for magistrates, judicial trainees and legal clerks
  • UHasselt staff: free

Further information and registration here.

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Vacancies for practical assistant and doctoral researcher (KU Leuven)

The Jan Ronse Institute at KU Leuven is looking for motivated candidates for the following positions in the field of company law:

  • Practical Assistants (part-time: 5% or 10%) – Campus Leuven or Brussels
  • Doctoral Researcher (full-time) – Campus Leuven

Are you interested, or do you know someone who might be? Please consult the full job description via the links below and do not hesitate to share these vacancies within your network.

  • Practical Assistant (Brussels Campus): here
  • Practical Assistant (Leuven Campus): here
  • Doctorate (Leuven Campus): here
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IFR-days 2026

The Institute for Financial Law (UGent) is organising, in collaboration with Gandaius Academy, the IFR Days 2026, a series of four thematic afternoons focusing on the most current and impactful developments in financial and corporate law.

The sessions will take place on:

  • 31 March 2026 – Financial consumer law
  • 21 April 2026 – Cryptofinance
  • 19 May 2026 – New company law
  • 2 June 2026 – Cross-cutting themes in financial law

Full details of the programme, speakers, prices and practical information can be found here.

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Prohibition of distributions and altruistic purpose of non-profit organisations and foundations

The Jan Ronse Institute (KU Leuven) is holding a study day on 6 March 2026 on the prohibition of distributions and altruistic purpose of non-profit organisations and foundations. The study day itself will take place in Leuven but can also be followed online.

All practical information and the programme can be found below. It promises to be an interesting afternoon.

Practical information:

Programme:

13:00 | Welcome – Sofie Cools

13:10 | Permitted transactions and prohibited distributions within non-profit organisations and foundations – Bram Van Baelen

13:35 | The altruistic purpose of non-profit organisations and foundations – Sofie Cools

14:00 | The use of non-profit organisations and foundations in hybrid group structures – Lisa Bueken

14:25 | The not-for-profit sector, the WER and the WVV: an evaluation – Marieke Wyckaert

14:50 | Q&A

15:00 | Break

15:30 | Company interests, association interests, foundation interests – Joeri Vananroye

15:55 | Good governance in non-profit organisations: the current situation – Marleen Denef

16:20 | Remedies for mismanagement in non-profit organisations and foundations – Matthias Wauters

16:45 | Taxation of non-profit organisations and foundations – Bram Devolder

17:10 | Q&A

17:20 | Closing remarks – Koen Geens

17:30 | Reception

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Prize Pierre Coppens 2026

The Pierre Coppens Prize will be awarded for the ninth time in 2026.

This prize, worth €15,000, is awarded to a doctor of law/legal sciences from a European university, aged 40 or under, who has written a work – published or unpublished – representing an original contribution to company law or a legal topic related to companies.

Further information can be found here.

Candidates are invited to send six copies of their work and their CV in PDF format by 6 December 2025 at the latest to the chair of the jury :  

Professeur Yves De Cordt 
Université catholique de Louvain
SSH/JURI/PJES 
Collège Thomas More 
Place Montesquieu 2, bte L2.07.01
B – 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
Tél. : +32 0479 23 76 05
e-mail : yves.decordt@uclouvain.be 

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Part-time guest lecturer (10%) – KU Leuven

The Faculty of Law at KU Leuven is looking for a part-time guest lecturer (10%) for the course ‘Associations, foundations and social enterprises’ as part of the Master’s programme in Company Law (Brussels campus).

More information here.

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Contributing to the future of European company law (28th Regime Call for evidence)

As part of its objectives to improve European competitiveness, the European Commission is working on the implementation of a single, optional and harmonised legal framework for innovative companies across the European area. Such initiative, known as the 28th Regime, will allow companies to incorporate, invest and operate under one set of rules. The Commission opened a Call for evidence & Public consultation to seek feedback on the proposed new 28th regime. 

A group of experts of the Belgian Centre for Companies Law has submitted a formal response to the European Commission’s Call for evidence on the initiative for a 28th Company Law Regime.

With this contribution, our experts aim to support a constructive dialogue on how European company law can evolve to meet the challenges of an integrated, digital, and innovative economy.

As a research and discussion hub on company law, we are committed to bringing academic rigor and practical insights to policy debates that shape the future of business in Europe.

You can find our experts response to the Call for evidence hereunder:

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BCV-CDS Proposal for the transposition of the MVS Directive

At the end of 2024, the European Union adopted Directive (EU) 2024/2810 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2024 on multiple-vote share structures in companies that seek admission to trading of their shares on a multilateral trading facility. Within the BCV, a working group was established to examine the directive and its potential transposition into Belgian company law. This working group consisted of (in alphabetical order): Carl Clottens, Steven Declercq, Jeroen Delvoie, Stijn Deschepper, Thierry L’Homme, Theo Monnens, Michiel Stuyts, Tom Vos and Marieke Wyckaert. The result is a comprehensive proposal for transposition addressed to the Belgian legislator, which also aims to facilitate broader policy reform.

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